Naughty nurse caught after festive tipple in Blackpool

A nurse had been drinking when police saw her straddling a man in the passenger seat of her car on Christmas Eve.

Faye Gregson’s Audi A1 had its hazard lights flashing and was parked at an angle on a zebra crossing in Blackpool at the time.

The nurse lied to police and claimed she had not had a drink, but a test showed she was almost twice over the alcohol limit.

Gregson, 26, of Edward Street, Walton-le-Dale, Preston, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a car while over the alcohol limit.

She was fined £300 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £30 victims’ surcharge. Blackpool magistrates exercised their discretion not to disqualify Gregson from driving, but ordered 10 penalty points should be put on her driving licence.

Prosecutor, Alison Quanbrough, said on December 24 at 2.30am a police patrol spotted Gregson’s car parked at an angle in Talbot Road with its hazard lights flashing.

The prosecutor added: “She was straddling a male in the passenger seat. When she saw the police she got off the male. She then got into the driver’s seat and put on the seatbelt.”

Gregson’s eyes were glazed, she was unsteady on her feet and she smelt of intoxicants.

The prosecutor said she told the officer: “I have just finished a 15-hour shift at Preston hospital. I have had nothing to drink. I have just come here to pick-up my boyfriend.”

a At the police station Gregson was unable to take a breath test as she had a chest infection. A sample of urine showed 205 milligrammes of alcohol in her body - 107 is the limit.

Gregson, who had no previous convictions, told magistrates: “I’m really sorry. It won’t happen again. I need my car to get to work at hospital as I work shifts.”